Scotland could be losing its position as the best place on earth for whisky - to Wales, it was disclosed today.

Some pubs in England have an even more impressive choice of the great Scottish elixir than establishments north of the border, says the latest Good Pub Guide.

And the guide's whisky pub of the year award has gone to a Welsh pub - the Old House, Llangynwyd, Maesteg in Mid-Glamorgan.

This thatched house, which has rooms dating back to the 12th century, has a range of more than 350 whiskies.

The guide also lists other pubs with fine whisky collections. These include the Bhurtpore in Aston, Cheshire; the Nobody Inn at Doddiscombsleigh, Devon; the Bulls Head at Clipston, Northamptonshire; and the Pack Horse at Widdop, West Yorkshire.

The guide's editor Alisdair Aird asks: "Is Scotland losing its edge as the best place in the world for whiskies?"

It goes on: "There are pubs and inns in Scotland with a great range of malts to try. But these are now being rivalled by many pubs south of the Border, many of which have an even more impressive choice of Scotland's own drink.